William Anderson "Billy"
Walker's family, around 1900. Front: Billy, Mary
Jane (Liford), James Ottis, unknown, Everett;
back: girls unknown, Barrett, Isaac
Samuel eventually became a well-known photographer
and daughter of the teacher and poet Mae Walker. At
this point, though, he was working for a company in
Chattanooga and apparently discussing a Claiborne
County teaching job with his brother. He would soon
marry Lula Ann Stepp but had not done so yet.
Letter and photos courtesy Bill Walker and transcribed
by Roma A. Walker. Click any page or photo for a larger
version.
Gray KY 2-20-1901
Mr W. A. Walker
Sandlick, Tenn
Dear Brother, I got your letter and card. I glad
to hear from. I don't know what to tell you about
the that school. But $25. is not a nuff. If you
could give me $30. If I could bord at your house,
I believe I would come. I am traveling for the
Southern Supply Co., Chattanooga, Tenn, but I
don't like it. I can get to travel for a tobacco
firm [in] Danvil, Va, if I had a nuff money to
pay my expenses for 1 month. I will let you know
by the first of next
month what I will do about the school. I wrote
you a few days a go and ask you about getting
me a mule and what it would cost me.
I could sell it to the mine Co. I hope you are
all well. I am not much well now.